Please help me figure out what sort of dress to wear to my wedding?

[meaniemo]

Im putting off setting a date simply as I don't know what to wear.

Some brief background...

Its marriage number 2 for us both. Im 34 with 5 children aged 13 - 3. My little girls 5 and 4 fully expect to be full on bridesmaids in flouncy outfits.

It will be in a registry office in a historic building.

My usual style consists of usual school run attire and I can look v smart if I put some effort in.

Im 5ft 5 and currently a size 12.

I dont want a full on dress but i do want to look like a bride...

You could try Style shake (google it). You can basically design your own dress on their and they have wedding type fabrics. You can also get accessories to match your material. Might have the right elegant but not too over the top look you're looking for?

Do you want full length? Sleeves?

I love Biba wedding dresses- not too weddingy but really elegant-

Here

Here

My favourite

Also this Coast one is gorgeous.

What short of colouring are you? I think this Coast dress is lovely in champagne depending on skin and hair colour - easy to change the colour of the ribbon etc.

here

Those Biba ones are gorgeous Thethers

Like this Monsoon ones too

here

I think I want to get married now.

Hi I just got martried on Thursday. Wedding number 2 for both of us as well and 3 dc's age 6, 5 and 4 who expected full on outfits etc.

We organised it all in 16 days and had a blast. Reg office followed by garden party.

The dd's had beautiful bridesmaid dresses from John Lewis and feathery shrug things from Monsoon. Ds wore linen trouisers and waistcoat with a white shirt and sansals. They looked stunning and felt very much part of a proper wedding.

I didn't want a wedding dress as it just wouldn't have looked or felt right and I couldn't ever pay the kind of money a wedding dress would cost. Because I'm larger than the averge lady I wore a dress from the site Igigi that was long and flowing with a fitted bodice, it was also black.

Everyone loved it and said I looked stunning, I honestly believe it is because I felt comfortable. I went with what I wanted and loved every second of my day.

Do it how you want to, give the children what they want and dp, wear whatever colour you want, whatever length style etc. Just enjoy every second of it.

Good look

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts so far.

I had looked at the Monsoon and coast ones and think i wanted to go full length but wasn't quite sure if I should go for shorter being second time around.

Im very pale skinned (every time I go to the Dr about anything they suggest im anaemic) and have brown hair and brown eyes.

My figure (not what it was pre child) but is very hourglass and I always struggle with dresses (size 10 - 12 on top) with a small waist 27 inches then a size 12 bottom. Normally I have to wear separates so I can mix up sizes. I guess any dress is going to have to be altered.

I did like the ribbon coast dress and they do a short version of it too. I do hate my knees though...

is it silly to want a long dress second time around? Sleeves - would prefer them as im aware my upper arms aren't what they used to be.

Thanks everyone

A long dress will be fine and they look great.

To solve the different sizes on your top and bottom look for a long dress that is fitted round the top and then has a full flowing skirt so a size up on the waist wont matter. Maybe something like this but possibly not if you don't want to look overly bridey. Maybe something with a bit more colour in it.

This is what I wore http://www.igigi.com/plus-size-dresses/plus-size-evening-dress/luna-gown.html here

Sorry try that again

Thanks everyone. I am going to go and try on some different styles and see what suits.

It'll take some courage plucking up though... i'm so nervous.

lovely and more affordable

The Biba dresses are divine but at 5'5 you may need to see if they could be altered as my bet is that they'll be far too long.

www.bhldn.com/the-shop_gowns/

Lovely! Some v expensive, others not so much.

I knew I had seen a nice dress with sleeves and it was driving me mad - but just found it here

www.perfectionbridalandmenswear.co.uk/bridal6.html the iris one.

This is my dress for my forthcoming wedding, the iris one. Its gorgeous on, im a size 12 too but a little bit taller , 5'7. It comes just below my knees - tea length I think its called.

wow thanks lots to look at now :)

have you considered a non- white wedding dress with it being no. 2 it can still look fabulous but not full on wedding, I'm thinking what shade might suit colouring brb...

If you didn't go full length, this is a stunner. I have it in black and love it so much, its incredibly flattering and holds you in brilliantly.

Coast

I know some are bridesmaid Im trying to think of colouring aswell lol I think like deep jewel colours look good on pale skin, correct me if im wrong Like wine red would look better than telephonebox red.

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_008010414847_-1?breadcrumb=Home~Women~Dresses

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_008010414533_-1?breadcrumb=Home~Women~Dresses

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_008010414533_-1?breadcrumb=Home~Women~Dresses
www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_008010314803_-1?breadcrumb=Home~Women~Dresses

there not amazing but I'm not too sure where to look lol probs not too helpful

minibmw - I think you've got it! Im going to coast tomorrow :D

Will let you know how I get on....

Thank you everyone will update!

Good luck !! As I said before I have it in black and really love it, I bought it in purple for a wedding but then found out I was pregnant and had to sell it. I'm very tempted by the "Ocean" colour too. Let us know how you get on ....

that coast (jocasta) dress is beautiful